Eaton’s Austin Ekeler shines in Chargers’ preseason finale

With the most extensive playing time of his young NFL career, former Eaton High School and Western State Colorado standout running back Austin Ekeler made a strong impression in the Los Angeles Chargers' final preseason game, a 23-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.

He led the Chargers in rushing (50 yards on eight carries) and receiving (58 yards on three catches). His big night included a 32-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter, in which he dodged four tackles before being tripped up just short of the goal line.

He wraps up his preseason with 87 rushing yards on 15 carries (a 5.8 yard-per-carry average) and 72 receiving yards on five catches. He's arguably made his biggest contribution on special teams.

Ekeler will find out Saturday if he has done enough to make Los Angeles' regular season roster as the Chargers trim their squad from 90 to 53 players.